Topeka loses resident, announces additional positive COVID-19 cases
A Topeka Presbyterian Manor resident who previously tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away at a local hospital.
“We mourn with the family during this extremely difficult time,” said Heather Pilkinton, executive director.
While we strive for transparency in what we do, please know that we are bound by federal guidelines under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects the privacy rights of our residents even into death. Our medical director follows all established federal laws in notifying families of any change in the medical condition of their loved ones.
At this time, Topeka Presbyterian Manor continues its focus on ensuring the well-being of our residents and employees. We will continue to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 on each shift, and care for those residents who are positive in the COVID-19 isolation area.
Additionally, the community announces results from its latest round of mass testing amid the outbreak.
An Independent Living resident, two essential health care employees and a non-direct care employee have tested positive for the virus.
The resident was given a standard test after noticing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The non-direct care employee was tested as part of our ongoing bi-weekly surveillance testing. The individual is asymptomatic and last worked on Tuesday, December 1. The essential health care employees are asymptomatic at this time and last worked on Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2. All positive employees screened in prior to working and wore personal protective equipment (PPE) while in the building.
The COVID positive resident will recover independently in their apartment We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the resident may come out of quarantine. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic residents may leave isolation when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the resident’s fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the resident’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive residents will quarantine for at least 10 days. Designated staff members are following doctor’s orders for treatment protocols and following CDC infection prevention protocols.
We follow CDC and KDHE guidelines in determining when an employee may return to work. Under the current guidelines, the employee may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the employee’s fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the employee’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. If asymptomatic, the employee must quarantine for at least 10 days before returning to work. Upon the employee’s return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.
All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. We have been screening individuals as they enter the community building for a shift and before individuals have any direct contact with residents. We educate all staff to stay at home if they are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or not feeling well.
For more information about Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, presbyterianmanors.org/media-room.
